Chaplain’s Corner

Recently we had a poetry workshop for our residents here at East Louisville. A local English professor came to read poetry and to help our residents craft their own poems. One of the poems we discussed was The Peace of Wild Things, by local poet Wendell Berry.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water .
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.”

When I was younger I spent some time working in the National Park System; which may be a reason this scripture resonates with me. My “happy place” has always been on a hiking trail alongside a stream in the woods. Jeremiah reminds us that God has blessed us with the capacity to find peace when we are rooted into His life giving waters- transcending our physical location. Furthermore, we may continue to bless others by producing fruit that glorifies God and sustains us with hope and joy.

One of the key components of Signature is our commitment to spirituality. At its best this department seeks to meet all of our residents, families, and stakeholders (staff) where they are. This gives the freedom for all to practice a faith in a way that brings meaning to them. Every facility has a chaplain that serves to meet the emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of all in our facility.

We offer many activities to our residents including a church service every Sunday. Some of our partner churches that lead services include: Ninth & O Baptist Church, Southeast Christian Church, and Reform Baptist Church. We also have a Bible Study led every week by the chaplain. In addition we partner with St. Edwards Catholic Church to have a Catholic service Friday mornings and visit residents every Sunday. We have several people who perform gospel hymns monthly that our residents love.

Resdients and staff from Signature HealthCARE of East Louisville recently attended the National Day of Prayer at the nearby Home Office and all who attended had a delightful time. I greatly appreciate the way the home office staff showed such excellent hospitality. Our residents said very clearly that they had a very good experience.

David Eisenmenger, Director of Spirituality
Signature HealthCARE of East Louisville

A former hospital chaplain, Craig adapted the program and launched it at Signature three years ago. During the ceremony, the chaplain blesses frankincense and myrrh, pausing to draw crosses on the hands of those receiving the blessings. The ceremony is rooted in the ancient tradition of washing the feet of guests who enter the home.

In the nursing home, the practice is viewed as a ‘thank you’ to the caregivers for the work they do, but it also serves as a reminder that their hands are performing God’s work.